Brassiere



Feb. 17, 1948. J, R. owen anssmm Filed July 14, 1944 \NVENTOR Efiorfen Jasep BY ZM ATTORNEY Patented Feb. '17, 1948 2,430,094 nmissmna Joseph ll. Bowen, Loo Angclel, Calif Hollywood-Maxwell 00., Los Angeles,

assignor to Calif., a

corporation of California Application July 14, 19, Serial No. 544.885 1 Claim- (Ol. 2-42) 1 vThis invention relates to brassieres.

n garments of this character, two breast.re ceiving cups are provided for supporting the breasts. A body-encircling band to which the cups are appropriately fastened serves to hold the garment in place. This band is often supplemented by shoulder straps.

Brassieres of this character are entirely satisfactory; but, when low-cut evening gowns are worn, such gowns reveal that part of the brassiere which extends between the cups. It is one of the objects of this -invention to provide a, brassiere that can be worn under such gowns without exposing any part of the brassiere.

In order to accomplish this result, the material connecting the breast cups at the hollow between the breasts is disposed well below the rounded portions of the breasts; and the cups are otherwise supported so that they are maintained in proper position with respect to the breasts. Accordingly it is another object of this invention to provide a cup supporting means that may be left concealed even when low-cut gowns are used.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings: 2

Figure 1 is an elevation of a brassiere mbodying the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views. taken along correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a pictorial view in position on a wearer.

; The brassire is shown as provided with the two breast cups l and 2 that are domed to accommodate the breasts of the wearer. These cups may beinade of any suitable fabric, such as lace, silk, or a combination of fabrics.

The lower edges of the cups l and 2 form a. line which is a continuation of the lower edge of the fabric side pieces 3 and 4. These pieces 3 and l are shown as joined to the outer edges 5 and G of the cups I and 2 respectively.

In order to eilect complete encirclement of the body, a hook member I is shown carried by an showing a brassiere elastic tape 8. This tape passes through a slot formed by hook member I; and the ends of tape 8 are appropriately attached to the side member 3.

A similar tape member 9 is attached to the side member 4 and carries a fastening means ll having an eye II with which hook member I oooperates. A depending hook member I: is also shown as supported by the fastening member II for attachment to the back portion of a garment, such as a skirt, or the like.

In the usual known type of brassiere, the breast cups are joined together by a central portion intended to overlie the hollow between the breasts. Such a central portion, however, would be re vealed when a low-cut evening gown is used.

In order to support the breast cups, without exposing any of the supporting elements, use is made of a rigid elongated member I4 that may be, for example, of a metal bar, and that has upwardly arched arms l5 and IS. The lower connecting portion i1 serves to join the two cups 8 and 2 at a point well below the hollow between the breasts. The arms 15 and it are located at the inner edges of the cups l and 2 and curve upwardly and outwardly to the upper edges of the respective cups. The contour of the member it corresponds to the base of the breasts. Furthermore, the member I4 is accommodated in a tubular sleeve or lining 18 that is sewn around the inner edges of the cups I and 2 and between the cups for the accommodation of the connecting member I1.

Furthermore, in order to reduce irritation of the skin, the inner side of this tubular member I8 is lined with a piled fabric l9. such as velvet. This fabric forms a thin strip corresponding in shape to the elongated member ll. A fabric web it is connected across the lower portions of the arms i5 and I6.

The connecting member l1 being disposed adjacent the lower edges of the breast cups l and 2, a low-cut evening gown may be worn without revealing any portion of the brassiere. The hollow between the breasts is left uncovered for a considerable distance between the breasts. Furthermore, the elongated reinforcing member i6 is rigid enough to maintain the breast cups 8 and 2 in the' supported position of Fig. 4.

In order further to support the brassire upon the body of the wearer, conventional shoulder straps 2i and 22 may be provided.

The inventor claims:

In a brassire, a pair of breast cups. an elongated rigid member of U-shaped configuration.

the lower connecting portion of the member begarment, said extending upwardly and away from the: center 0! thogarment to the top regions or the cups, and means for-attaching the connectlng portion and the arms to the cups.

JOSEPH R. BOWEN.

REFERENCES CITED 'mbo 1 ,837,958 5 1,290,608 2,278,332 1,970,920 2,060,998 2,079,426 10 Number STATES PATENTS Dec. 23. 1981 wman Jan. 7, 1919 Mar. 81, 1942 Roth Aug. 21, 1934 Martin Nov. 17, 1936 Sclwttentela May 4, 193': mamas mm Country Date France Dec. 23, 1928 France Nov. 15, 1934 

